Emotions flare between Daniel Palencia and Willson Contreras at end of Chicago Cubs victory
Moments after Palencia hit St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras up and in with an errant 100.5 mph fastball on a 1-2 count, the former Cub wasn't pleased with the location where he got drilled. Contreras stared at Palencia as he made his way to first base and had words for the hard-throwing 25-year-old, who suddenly was in a tough spot trying to preserve a three-run lead with two runners on and nobody out in the bottom of the ninth.
Palencia collected himself and struck out the next three hitters — Nolan Arenado, Thomas Saggese and Nolan Gorman — to preserve a 3-0 win Thursday.
Then emotions set off on both sides.
An exuberant Palencia began his typical post-save celebration, screaming and pounding his chest after he froze Gorman looking at a slider to end the game.
At one point, Palencia turned and repeated his yells toward Contreras at first base. Contreras immediately appeared to become upset and started walking toward Palencia, prompting both benches to clear and players to step between the two.
Once the tension subsided after roughly two minutes, with Contreras' teammates guiding him back to the dugout, the Cubs (48-33) went through their handshake line to celebrate the win. They reached the midpoint of the season on pace for 96 wins, which would be their most since 2016.
Palencia's ability to lock in after hitting Contreras showed his self-confidence and mental fortitude not to let the game spiral after the heated exchange. He said he didn't hear what Contreras was saying to him after the game ended.
Asked about screaming in Contreras' direction as he celebrated, Palencia said: 'I was just excited. This is my job. … Just the moment of the game.
'It was an intense game, I was really hyped. That's part of the game. Nothing was intentional. I don't want to hit that guy. I've been watching that guy since I was a kid. I really feel proud of him, what he's doing for the game. Like I said, the moment was intense, close game.'
Although they briefly overlapped in the Cubs organization, Palencia and Contreras crossed paths only during spring training in 2022.
'He's Venezuelan, too, you know? I don't want to hit that guy,' Palencia said. 'I don't want to hit any guy in this game. I just want to do my job.'
Contreras told St. Louis reporters he knows Palencia wasn't trying to throw a fastball at his face, but it wasn't long ago he broke a finger in August when hit by a pitch that ended his 2024 season. He said he repeatedly told Palencia to throw strikes. However, Contreras took ownership of how he responded to Palencia.
'My reaction was bad, I take that back,' Contreras told reporters. 'I apologize to the Chicago Cubs for reacting the way I reacted. But I'm not trying to get another broken bone. … I'm not trying to fight anybody.
'The only thing I didn't appreciate was the way he turned around. But once again, it's just the heat of the game. He came out with good stuff, put another zero on the board and they won today.'
Cubs left fielder Ian Happ, who spent six seasons with Contreras in Chicago, said, 'That's Willson.'
'He loves his teammates, he loves to play hard,' Happ said. 'He's a guy that is in at every pitch, and anytime you get hit up and in in a spot like that, guys are scared, guys are frustrated, and so I totally get it. But it's just the heat of the moment and competition.'
This week's four-game series was the first time this year the rivals met, with the Cubs recovering from dropping the first two games to salvage a series split with wins the last two days at Busch Stadium. The Cubs-Cardinals rivalry had been missing some juice the last few years.
It has been a while since both teams were good enough for the games to matter on each side. And though the charged ending Thursday was largely fueled by Contreras, it could add some fireworks when the Cardinals come to Wrigley Field on Fourth of July weekend.
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